Heidelberg Project Transformed Abandoned Street in Detroit

In 1986, the artist Tyree Guyton founded The Heidelberg Project on an abandoned street on Detroit’s East Side. The artist transformed a forgotten corner of the city into a vibrant, whimsical installation using found objects and house paint.

Considered the most famous house in the Heidelberg Project, this house ( the “New White house” – formerly referred to as the “Dotty Wotty ” House ) was in the artist’s family since 1947. This is where Tyree Guyton first was inspired to paint, the dots represent two things: His Grandfathers love of jellybeans, and the unity of all people.

The Heidelberg Project spans two city blocks, with polka-dotted houses and found object installations, with over 250,000 visitors every year. The site, which was demolished twice by the city of Detroit and subsequently rebuilt, is also a non-profit organization that provides arts education to children and public programs for visitors. Through the Heidelberg Project, the artist draws attention to the plight of Detroit’s forgotten neighborhoods, and spurred discussion and action.

Sadly, nine fires have burned through portions of Tyree Guyton’s Heidelberg Project, that most recent one gutting the “Party Animal House” on 7 March 2014.

Tyree Guyton created the public installation Street Folk, formed from 10,000 paired and unpaired discarded and donated shoes. This piece highlighted the plight of the homeless in Detroit and once again sees him using his abilities to engage critically into the social and environmental fabric of the city.